A virtual tour inside the mind, heart, and soul of a man whose troubling experiences with women turn him cold, ruthless, and afraid of commitment.Solomon Singletary had no interest in establishing substantive relationships with women and even prided himself on his ability to remain distant while still getting what he wanted. That disposition is rocked when a chance encounter with one of his “victims” and her young son sparks something in him he never anticipated: to seek forgiveness, from her and himself. That quest opens up his mind and heart in ways no one expected, especially him. He accomplishes something significant: he admits he was wrong. Even more difficult is winning back Michele Williams, who still has feelings for Solomon but is reluctant to restart their romance. Amid the drama that envelopes Solomon’s quest comes another challenge: He discovers disheartening information about his best friend, Ray, and is once again forced to confront raw nerves and emotions. A Cold Piece of Work offers the rarest insight: A contemporary man revealing the depths of his emotions, vulnerabilities, and flaws. Readers who crave answers to the mysteries of the male mind will appreciate this unfettered, organic journey that lends honest, raw perspective and provides the how and why men act as they do in relationships.

From an Essence bestselling author, this provocative novel takes you back to school as five people show up at their college homecoming with sex and secrets on their minds.If you thought Las Vegas was the only place where “what happens” stays there, you haven’t been to homecoming at a historically black college or university . . . There is nothing quite like homecoming—the rekindled romances, the weekend flings, the surprising revelations. In this provocative, engrossing, and humorous novel, #1 Essence bestselling author Curtis Bunn takes readers back to school with five sets of friends for two days of parties, sex, romance, laughs, tears, memories—and moral dilemmas. Sentimental and satisfying, Bunn’s captivating, drama-filled Homecoming Weekend is almost as fun as the real thing.

There are some secrets that are better left that way… In this gripping novel of twisted moral dilemmas, a man tries to save his troubled marriage by taking a trip to Napa Valley after secretly winning the lottery.There are some secrets that are better left that way… In this gripping novel of twisted moral dilemmas, a man tries to save his troubled marriage by taking a trip to Napa Valley after secretly winning the lottery. Paul Wall’s marriage is in trouble. In addition to losing his job, he loses all of his self-esteem, and soon his wife, Ginger, is as unhappy as he is. However, when Paul wins millions of dollars in the Georgia state lottery, he concocts a master plan to regain his wife’s love. A passionate wine-drinker, Paul convinces Ginger to accompany him on a trip to romantic Napa Valley, but Paul keeps his winnings a secret; he wants to win her back on his own merits. Ginger insists her mom, a recent widow, travels with them. Paul then insists his mom, recently divorced, join them. This quartet of characters travels together to California and, with the influx of wine loosening their inhibitions, they end up revealing secrets better left untold. With controversial ethical dilemmas at its heart, The Truth is in the Wine is a remarkable and riveting novel that will put you in the characters’ shoes, wondering what you’d do next if you had millions of dollars to spend and a marriage and relationships to save.

He’s the “old guy in the club” who everyone judges and scorns, but there’s so much more to his story—travel into the mind and soul of a complex man on the road to redemption in this riveting, true-to-life novel.Almost everyone who has been to a nightclub has seen him: the “old man in the club.” He’s the graying, balding loner looking totally out of place, like he could be everyone’s father. Or grandfather. And almost everyone’s wondering the same thing: Why is he in here? In Curtis Bunn’s The Old Man in the Club, you learn why. Meet Elliott Thomas, sixty-one years old, and not afraid of spending a night among twenty-something strangers. But his motivation for hanging out in clubs isn’t his fear of growing old; it’s his desire to catch up on what he’s missed. Recently released as a free man after years of false accusations and his wrongful incarceration, Elliot is on his journey to redemption. How he goes about it, however, gives some people pause. Some find him charming, some find him creepy. The women his age find him disgusting. His buddies marvel at his nerve. His children loathe his existence. But no matter who judges him, Elliott is set on reclaiming his youth—the way he wants to. A page-turner that outlines the depth, complexities, and motivations of an intriguing character, this novel will surprise and touch you—and make sure you’ll never look at the “old man in the club” the same way again.

When a terminally ill man is at a crossroads, one choice will make him feel more alive than ever.Calvin Jones has finally gotten his life on the right course. At forty-five, he has escaped a toxic long-term relationship with the mother of his only child, and he loves his job as a high school English teacher in Washington, DC. Life is good. But then life turns horribly bad. A routine checkup reveals a cancerous spot on his pancreas. The oncologist offers him chemotherapy in the hope that it will extend his life, but Calvin declines...and decides to live the best he can while he can. Seize the Day is more than the story of Calvin Jones’s decision to pass on cancer treatment. It is the inspiring story of a man choosing not to wait on death and, instead, to live out his life with courage, hope, and resilience. What happens next is extraordinary.

Delve into the minds of several frisky women who are willing to risk it all in the pursuit of pleasure from bestselling author Curtis Bunn.With sensual language and a unique understanding of women, The Secret Lives of Cheating Wives by Curtis Bunn is a gripping novel that reveals the lengths today’s women will go to indulge their deepest desires. The most unlikely of women—God-fearing, child-raising, career-driven, soft-spoken women—are taking risks outside their marriages unlike any time before, a state of affairs that has become an underground movement. They may appear happy and content in their marriages from the outside, but inside they feel something is missing. Refusing to boast about their extramarital affairs like men, these women keep quiet and yet, the more they engage, the more daring they become—and the more at risk their marriages become, too. With relatable and complex characters, The Secret Lives of Cheating Wives, is more than your typical romance: it strives to explore the psyche of these women and challenges you into understanding their actions, all while enjoying a tense, steamy ride filled with edge-of-your-seat drama.

From Essence bestselling author Curtis Bunn comes a moving novel about a down and out corporate executive whose unexpected encounter with a stranger inspires her to reinvent her life.Brenda Harris, a former corporate executive in Atlanta, has endured two years of personal tragedies and professional disappointments, and believes the world owes her a break. One day, she encounters a homeless man who encourages her to look at life differently. She regularly sees this man at one of her daily stops. But she does not realize that he has been closely observing her and, despite his mental illness, is able to forge a deep connection with her in ways that both surprise and inspire her. She realizes there is a whole world out there for her to experience, and Rodney Bridges, the homeless man, helps her begin her journey of self-discovery by challenging her on their daily walks. The path is difficult, but her time with Rodney opens her up to a new world, a world she had dismissed when she lost her job, her husband left her, and her dear sister died. Part of her journey moves her to help Rodney. Through meaningful conversation and dedication, she is able to penetrate the emotional wall Rodney built after his own tragic circumstances sent him onto the streets. They become an unlikely duo—encouraging each other to overcome each of their own obstacles...and slowly a new world emerges. A moving and powerful story about how inspiration can be found in the unlikeliest places, Welcome to My World also reaffirms that the simplest things in life—a conversation with a stranger—can lead to life-changing results.

For many, the story of the weeks of protests in the summer of 2020 began with the horrific nine minutes and twenty-nine seconds when Police Officer Derek Chauvin killed George Floyd on camera, and it ended with the sweeping federal, state, and intrapersonal changes that followed. It is a simple story, wherein white America finally witnessed enough brutality to move their collective consciousness. The only problem is that it isn't true. George Floyd was not the first Black man to be killed by police-he wasn't even the first to inspire nation-wide protests-yet his death came at a time when America was already at a tipping point.In Say Their Names, five seasoned journalists probe this critical shift. With a piercing examination of how inequality has been propagated throughout history, from Black imprisonment and the Convict Leasing program to long-standing predatory medical practices to over-policing, the authors highlight the disparities that have long characterized the dangers of being Black in America. They examine the many moderate attempts to counteract these inequalities, from the modern Civil Rights movement to Ferguson, and how the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and others pushed compliance with an unjust system to its breaking point. Finally, they outline the momentous changes that have resulted from this movement, while at the same time proposing necessary next steps to move forward.With a combination of penetrating, focused journalism and affecting personal insight, the authors bring together their collective years of reporting, creating a cohesive and comprehensive understanding of racial inequality in America.

A virtual tour inside the mind, heart, and soul of a man whose troubling experiences with women turn him cold, ruthless, and afraid of commitment.Solomon Singletary had no interest in establishing substantive relationships with women and even prided himself on his ability to remain distant while still getting what he wanted. That disposition is rocked when a chance encounter with one of his “victims” and her young son sparks something in him he never anticipated: to seek forgiveness, from her and himself. That quest opens up his mind and heart in ways no one expected, especially him. He accomplishes something significant: he admits he was wrong. Even more difficult is winning back Michele Williams, who still has feelings for Solomon but is reluctant to restart their romance. Amid the drama that envelopes Solomon’s quest comes another challenge: He discovers disheartening information about his best friend, Ray, and is once again forced to confront raw nerves and emotions. A Cold Piece of Work offers the rarest insight: A contemporary man revealing the depths of his emotions, vulnerabilities, and flaws. Readers who crave answers to the mysteries of the male mind will appreciate this unfettered, organic journey that lends honest, raw perspective and provides the how and why men act as they do in relationships.

From an Essence bestselling author, a provocative novel takes readers back to school as five people show up at their college homecoming with sex and secrets on their minds.If you thought Las Vegas was where “what happens” stays, you have not been to homecoming at a historically black college or university, which means you have missed out. Until now, that is. Curtis Bunn’s novel, Homecoming Weekend, provides readers a provocative, engrossing and humorous journey to an HBCU campus for those two days of reminiscing, partying, sex, romance, laughs and even tears. There is nothing quite like homecoming. It is a combination of a massive family reunion and festival, a sentimental and reaffirming annual experience that is laced with rekindled romances from years gone by, weekend flings and surprising revelations. Bunn paints high-definition images of the events as he takes you on the odyssey of five sets of friends back at their alma mater seeking satisfaction in different fashions. And while they arrive anticipating one thing, they end up with realities that place them in moral and ethical dilemmas—and the resolutions are as satisfying as a warm embrace from a dear old friend. Best of all, Bunn makes you feel like you are right there with the characters—or wish you were there.

In this gripping novel of twisted moral dilemmas, a man tries to save his troubled marriage by taking a trip to Napa Valley after secretly winning the lottery—after all, there are some secrets that are better left that way.Paul Wall’s marriage is in trouble. In addition to losing his job, he loses all of his self-esteem, and soon his wife, Ginger, is as unhappy as he is. However, when Paul wins millions of dollars in the Georgia state lottery, he concocts a master plan to regain his wife’s love. A passionate wine-drinker, Paul convinces Ginger to accompany him on a trip to romantic Napa Valley, but Paul keeps his winnings a secret; he wants to win her back on his own merits. Ginger insists her mom, a recent widow, travels with them. Paul then insists his mom, recently divorced, join them. This quartet of characters travels together to California and, with the influx of wine loosening their inhibitions, they end up revealing secrets better left untold. With controversial ethical dilemmas at its heart, The Truth is in the Wine is a remarkable and riveting novel that will put you in the characters’ shoes, wondering what you’d do next if you had millions of dollars to spend and relationships to save.

A virtual tour inside the mind, heart, and soul of a man whose troubling experiences with women turn him cold, ruthless, and afraid of commitment.Solomon Singletary had no interest in establishing substantive relationships with women and even prided himself on his ability to remain distant while still getting what he wanted. That disposition is rocked when a chance encounter with one of his “victims” and her young son sparks something in him he never anticipated: to seek forgiveness, from her and himself. That quest opens up his mind and heart in ways no one expected, especially him. He accomplishes something significant: he admits he was wrong. Even more difficult is winning back Michele Williams, who still has feelings for Solomon but is reluctant to restart their romance. Amid the drama that envelopes Solomon’s quest comes another challenge: He discovers disheartening information about his best friend, Ray, and is once again forced to confront raw nerves and emotions. A Cold Piece of Work offers the rarest insight: A contemporary man revealing the depths of his emotions, vulnerabilities, and flaws. Readers who crave answers to the mysteries of the male mind will appreciate this unfettered, organic journey that lends honest, raw perspective and provides the how and why men act as they do in relationships.

From an Essence bestselling author, this provocative novel takes you back to school as five people show up at their college homecoming with sex and secrets on their minds.If you thought Las Vegas was the only place where “what happens” stays there, you haven’t been to homecoming at a historically black college or university . . . There is nothing quite like homecoming—the rekindled romances, the weekend flings, the surprising revelations. In this provocative, engrossing, and humorous novel, #1 Essence bestselling author Curtis Bunn takes readers back to school with five sets of friends for two days of parties, sex, romance, laughs, tears, memories—and moral dilemmas. Sentimental and satisfying, Bunn’s captivating, drama-filled Homecoming Weekend is almost as fun as the real thing.

There are some secrets that are better left that way… In this gripping novel of twisted moral dilemmas, a man tries to save his troubled marriage by taking a trip to Napa Valley after secretly winning the lottery.There are some secrets that are better left that way… In this gripping novel of twisted moral dilemmas, a man tries to save his troubled marriage by taking a trip to Napa Valley after secretly winning the lottery. Paul Wall’s marriage is in trouble. In addition to losing his job, he loses all of his self-esteem, and soon his wife, Ginger, is as unhappy as he is. However, when Paul wins millions of dollars in the Georgia state lottery, he concocts a master plan to regain his wife’s love. A passionate wine-drinker, Paul convinces Ginger to accompany him on a trip to romantic Napa Valley, but Paul keeps his winnings a secret; he wants to win her back on his own merits. Ginger insists her mom, a recent widow, travels with them. Paul then insists his mom, recently divorced, join them. This quartet of characters travels together to California and, with the influx of wine loosening their inhibitions, they end up revealing secrets better left untold. With controversial ethical dilemmas at its heart, The Truth is in the Wine is a remarkable and riveting novel that will put you in the characters’ shoes, wondering what you’d do next if you had millions of dollars to spend and a marriage and relationships to save.

He’s the “old guy in the club” who everyone judges and scorns, but there’s so much more to his story—travel into the mind and soul of a complex man on the road to redemption in this riveting, true-to-life novel.Almost everyone who has been to a nightclub has seen him: the “old man in the club.” He’s the graying, balding loner looking totally out of place, like he could be everyone’s father. Or grandfather. And almost everyone’s wondering the same thing: Why is he in here? In Curtis Bunn’s The Old Man in the Club, you learn why. Meet Elliott Thomas, sixty-one years old, and not afraid of spending a night among twenty-something strangers. But his motivation for hanging out in clubs isn’t his fear of growing old; it’s his desire to catch up on what he’s missed. Recently released as a free man after years of false accusations and his wrongful incarceration, Elliot is on his journey to redemption. How he goes about it, however, gives some people pause. Some find him charming, some find him creepy. The women his age find him disgusting. His buddies marvel at his nerve. His children loathe his existence. But no matter who judges him, Elliott is set on reclaiming his youth—the way he wants to. A page-turner that outlines the depth, complexities, and motivations of an intriguing character, this novel will surprise and touch you—and make sure you’ll never look at the “old man in the club” the same way again.

When a terminally ill man is at a crossroads, one choice will make him feel more alive than ever.Calvin Jones has finally gotten his life on the right course. At forty-five, he has escaped a toxic long-term relationship with the mother of his only child, and he loves his job as a high school English teacher in Washington, DC. Life is good. But then life turns horribly bad. A routine checkup reveals a cancerous spot on his pancreas. The oncologist offers him chemotherapy in the hope that it will extend his life, but Calvin declines...and decides to live the best he can while he can. Seize the Day is more than the story of Calvin Jones’s decision to pass on cancer treatment. It is the inspiring story of a man choosing not to wait on death and, instead, to live out his life with courage, hope, and resilience. What happens next is extraordinary.

Delve into the minds of several frisky women who are willing to risk it all in the pursuit of pleasure from bestselling author Curtis Bunn.With sensual language and a unique understanding of women, The Secret Lives of Cheating Wives by Curtis Bunn is a gripping novel that reveals the lengths today’s women will go to indulge their deepest desires. The most unlikely of women—God-fearing, child-raising, career-driven, soft-spoken women—are taking risks outside their marriages unlike any time before, a state of affairs that has become an underground movement. They may appear happy and content in their marriages from the outside, but inside they feel something is missing. Refusing to boast about their extramarital affairs like men, these women keep quiet and yet, the more they engage, the more daring they become—and the more at risk their marriages become, too. With relatable and complex characters, The Secret Lives of Cheating Wives, is more than your typical romance: it strives to explore the psyche of these women and challenges you into understanding their actions, all while enjoying a tense, steamy ride filled with edge-of-your-seat drama.

From Essence bestselling author Curtis Bunn comes a moving novel about a down and out corporate executive whose unexpected encounter with a stranger inspires her to reinvent her life.Brenda Harris, a former corporate executive in Atlanta, has endured two years of personal tragedies and professional disappointments, and believes the world owes her a break. One day, she encounters a homeless man who encourages her to look at life differently. She regularly sees this man at one of her daily stops. But she does not realize that he has been closely observing her and, despite his mental illness, is able to forge a deep connection with her in ways that both surprise and inspire her. She realizes there is a whole world out there for her to experience, and Rodney Bridges, the homeless man, helps her begin her journey of self-discovery by challenging her on their daily walks. The path is difficult, but her time with Rodney opens her up to a new world, a world she had dismissed when she lost her job, her husband left her, and her dear sister died. Part of her journey moves her to help Rodney. Through meaningful conversation and dedication, she is able to penetrate the emotional wall Rodney built after his own tragic circumstances sent him onto the streets. They become an unlikely duo—encouraging each other to overcome each of their own obstacles...and slowly a new world emerges. A moving and powerful story about how inspiration can be found in the unlikeliest places, Welcome to My World also reaffirms that the simplest things in life—a conversation with a stranger—can lead to life-changing results.

For many, the story of the weeks of protests in the summer of 2020 began with the horrific nine minutes and twenty-nine seconds when Police Officer Derek Chauvin killed George Floyd on camera, and it ended with the sweeping federal, state, and intrapersonal changes that followed. It is a simple story, wherein white America finally witnessed enough brutality to move their collective consciousness. The only problem is that it isn't true. George Floyd was not the first Black man to be killed by police-he wasn't even the first to inspire nation-wide protests-yet his death came at a time when America was already at a tipping point.In Say Their Names, five seasoned journalists probe this critical shift. With a piercing examination of how inequality has been propagated throughout history, from Black imprisonment and the Convict Leasing program to long-standing predatory medical practices to over-policing, the authors highlight the disparities that have long characterized the dangers of being Black in America. They examine the many moderate attempts to counteract these inequalities, from the modern Civil Rights movement to Ferguson, and how the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and others pushed compliance with an unjust system to its breaking point. Finally, they outline the momentous changes that have resulted from this movement, while at the same time proposing necessary next steps to move forward.With a combination of penetrating, focused journalism and affecting personal insight, the authors bring together their collective years of reporting, creating a cohesive and comprehensive understanding of racial inequality in America.

A virtual tour inside the mind, heart, and soul of a man whose troubling experiences with women turn him cold, ruthless, and afraid of commitment.Solomon Singletary had no interest in establishing substantive relationships with women and even prided himself on his ability to remain distant while still getting what he wanted. That disposition is rocked when a chance encounter with one of his “victims” and her young son sparks something in him he never anticipated: to seek forgiveness, from her and himself. That quest opens up his mind and heart in ways no one expected, especially him. He accomplishes something significant: he admits he was wrong. Even more difficult is winning back Michele Williams, who still has feelings for Solomon but is reluctant to restart their romance. Amid the drama that envelopes Solomon’s quest comes another challenge: He discovers disheartening information about his best friend, Ray, and is once again forced to confront raw nerves and emotions. A Cold Piece of Work offers the rarest insight: A contemporary man revealing the depths of his emotions, vulnerabilities, and flaws. Readers who crave answers to the mysteries of the male mind will appreciate this unfettered, organic journey that lends honest, raw perspective and provides the how and why men act as they do in relationships.

From an Essence bestselling author, a provocative novel takes readers back to school as five people show up at their college homecoming with sex and secrets on their minds.If you thought Las Vegas was where “what happens” stays, you have not been to homecoming at a historically black college or university, which means you have missed out. Until now, that is. Curtis Bunn’s novel, Homecoming Weekend, provides readers a provocative, engrossing and humorous journey to an HBCU campus for those two days of reminiscing, partying, sex, romance, laughs and even tears. There is nothing quite like homecoming. It is a combination of a massive family reunion and festival, a sentimental and reaffirming annual experience that is laced with rekindled romances from years gone by, weekend flings and surprising revelations. Bunn paints high-definition images of the events as he takes you on the odyssey of five sets of friends back at their alma mater seeking satisfaction in different fashions. And while they arrive anticipating one thing, they end up with realities that place them in moral and ethical dilemmas—and the resolutions are as satisfying as a warm embrace from a dear old friend. Best of all, Bunn makes you feel like you are right there with the characters—or wish you were there.

In this gripping novel of twisted moral dilemmas, a man tries to save his troubled marriage by taking a trip to Napa Valley after secretly winning the lottery—after all, there are some secrets that are better left that way.Paul Wall’s marriage is in trouble. In addition to losing his job, he loses all of his self-esteem, and soon his wife, Ginger, is as unhappy as he is. However, when Paul wins millions of dollars in the Georgia state lottery, he concocts a master plan to regain his wife’s love. A passionate wine-drinker, Paul convinces Ginger to accompany him on a trip to romantic Napa Valley, but Paul keeps his winnings a secret; he wants to win her back on his own merits. Ginger insists her mom, a recent widow, travels with them. Paul then insists his mom, recently divorced, join them. This quartet of characters travels together to California and, with the influx of wine loosening their inhibitions, they end up revealing secrets better left untold. With controversial ethical dilemmas at its heart, The Truth is in the Wine is a remarkable and riveting novel that will put you in the characters’ shoes, wondering what you’d do next if you had millions of dollars to spend and relationships to save.